Training Camp Notebook: RG3 says he’s ready for more

RICHMOND, Va. – It’s Monday, which means it was time for our weekly chat with quarterback Robert Griffin III.

A couple things I took away from his session today: Robert is growing tired of just participating in the 7-on-7 drills during practice. He seems to think he is ready to ramp up his activity and wants to do some 11-on-11 team drills. We will see when that comes, he did say he knows what the next phase is.

He also seemed a little frustrated when talking about the way Mike Shanahan is bringing him along.

“I’m ready to move on. I mean, you can only do so much in 7-on-7,” he said. “The completion percentage is there. I feel like the rhythm is there with the guys. Coach will tell you something else, but obviously I’m ready to move on. I’m ready to go to the team reps and everything. I’ve just got to keep doing what Coach asks me to do.”

He did say that he was doing more at this time of his recovery after his surgery while at Baylor. He said he understands it’s different now and “there is a lot of scrutiny,” because of what happened last year and where he is now. That doesn’t mean he has to like it, and he doesn’t.

Griffin knows that in order to be successful, he and Mike Shanahan have to be on the same page the rest of the way.

“I can feel any kind of way about it. But at the end of the day we have to be on the same page and that’s what I’m trying to do,” Griffin said. “Do everything the coaches ask me to do, show them that my rhythm and timing is there and show them I can play. At the end of the day they have to come through for me and play me Week One if I do everything they ask me to do.”

After practice Mike Shanahan addressed the situation, he said that the plan is to increase Griffin’s reps next week and take it day by day. He will get more freedom each week and if there isn’t a setback then Shanahan hopes he will be ready for Week One. He also said, “We have a game plan regardless if a guy is full-go and how he practices on the field. The good thing about Robert is that he hasn’t had any setback.”

He added, “We do have a plan for him. He may not always like that plan, but that’s my job sometimes not to be liked. My job is to the best thing for him, and that’s what I’ll do.”

So, there you have it – coach and player. We will keep an eye on it as the preseason progresses. I do not think it will become an issue, but you can tell the quarterback feels he’s ready to do more and the coaches are being very cautious with him.

Starters Action on Thursday

Mike Shanahan said the starters will play about 10 to 15 plays in Thursday’s exhibition opener at Tennessee. He said Kirk Cousins will not see as much time on Thursday, but will see a good amount during the second and third game.

Hall of Famer in attendance

Redskins Hall of Famer John Riggins made the trip to Richmond to watch practice today. He was talking with Dan Snyder and Bruce Allen during the morning walk-through. He also had brief conversations with Robert Griffin III and Alfred Morris after practice.

Practice Update

Dante Stallworth, Darrell Young and Brandon Meriweather were all back at practice on Monday. Mike Shanahan said it’s possible they could play on Thursday, but he’s not sure yet. DeAngelo Hall was also back in pads on Monday for the first time since he injured his ankle last Monday.

Reed Doughty was sore, so he sat out on Monday. TE Jordan Reed has a bruise on the top of his foot so he was out as well.

We had our first mini-scuffle during camp: Logan Paulsen and DeAngelo Hall got into it a little bit after a play during an 11-on-11 session.

Attendance

The fans continue to come out to Richmond to watch the team practice. Another 9,085 (5,324 morning, 3,761 afternoon) in attendance on Monday brings the camp total to 111,298 The Redskins have a walk-through tomorrow morning, followed by an afternoon practice. They will take off for Tennessee on Wednesday for the first preseason game Thursday night.

I did see something I’ve never seen before: someone wearing a #16 jersey with “Banks” on the back. That’s right, a Brandon Banks jersey.